Sorry if this was posted earlier, but here is the official release
TEMPE, Ariz. – Danny Gonzales, who spent the last seven seasons at San Diego State and most recently served as the Aztecs’ defensive coordinator, has been named the defensive coordinator for Sun Devil Football, as announced by head coach Herm Edwards today.
Gonzales spent all seven seasons with SDSU as the safeties coach but was promoted to defensive coordinator prior to the 2017 season and helped lead the Aztecs to a 10-3 record and an appearance in the Armed Forces Bowl.
“Danny Gonzales has cut his teeth working with one of the top defensive schemes in the past decade of college football,” Edwards said. “In his first season as defensive coordinator, there was no drop-off in the production on the defensive end and he helped guide the Aztecs to a 10-win season. Danny is one of the top young coaching talents in the game today and we are happy to bring him on board at ASU."
“I am honored and humbled to be a part of the Arizona State University football program. It is a privilege to represent such a prestigious institution, and to be a part of this program’s rich tradition of athletic excellence,” Gonzales said. “I’d like to thank Ray Anderson, Jean Boyd, and Coach Edwards for this tremendous opportunity. I am excited to get to work building relationships with our student-athletes and do my part in helping Coach Edwards execute his vision for our program.”
In his first season as the defensive coordinator, San Diego State finished the regular season 11th nationally and first in the Mountain West in total defense, allowing just 303.5 yards per game. The Aztecs were ninth in rushing defense (110.4 yards per game) and 27th in passing yards allowed (193.1).
San Diego State has held 12 of its last 14 opponents to 375 yards or less of total offense. Since Nov. 14, 2015 (includes 31 SDSU games), San Diego State ranks sixth in total offense allowed per game (303.3) and ninth nationally in points allowed per game (18.3).
Since the beginning of the 2015 campaign, San Diego State ranks third nationally in rushing yards allowed per game (108.2) and third in rushing yards per attempt (3.2). Nineteen of San Diego State’s last 37 opponents have failed to rush for more than 80 yards.
During the last 37 games (since Sept. 26, 2015), opponents have rushed 1,225 times for 3,843 yards and 3.1 yards per carry. Over that span, SDSU’s ranks third in yards per carry (3.2) and third nationally in rushing yards allowed per game (103.9).
SDSU was 17th in red zone defense and first in the Mountain West, in 2017 allowing opponents to score just 75 percent of the time while the team allowed the fourth fewest first downs nationally (168). The Aztecs led the nation in allowing opponents to convert just 14.3 percent of their fourth down conversion attempts.
Entering the 2017 season, SDSU’s 100 interceptions were the third most in the country since 2011, while its 14 interceptions returned for a touchdown were tied for the fifth most over that span. The Aztecs’ 49 interceptions in 2015 and 2016 were the most in a two-year span in FBS play since Boston College had 51 in the 2007 and 2008 campaigns. SDSU led the country in interceptions (26) in 2016.
Since the beginning of the 2015 campaign, San Diego State’s 62 interceptions are the most in the country (by a margin of nine), while its 10 interception returns for touchdowns are tied for second in the country with Ohio State (Alabama has 11).
The Aztecs are 18th nationally in turnover margin at +0.67 per game. SDSU ranks among the national leaders in this category the last several years (2015 - +1.57, 1st and 2016 - +1.00, 4th). San Diego State leads the country in TO margin since 2015.
In 2015, the Aztecs finished among the top 10 in the four main defensive categories, including a tie for second with 23 picks, fifth in total defense (287.3), seventh in scoring defense (16.4) and rushing defense (108.7) and 10th in passing defense (178.6).
SDSU produced one of the best defensive efforts in school history in 2014, finishing in the top 20 nationally in nearly every defensive category, including scoring defense (13th) and total defense (16th).
Gonzales coached Nat Berhe and Eric Pinkins, both of whom were selected in the 2014 NFL Draft. Berhe was a fifth-round selection of the New York Giants, while Pinkins went in the sixth round to the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
Under Gonzales’ guidance, Berhe became the first Aztec safety in the Mountain West era (since 1999) to garner all-conference accolades three years in a row. Berhe, who landed on the 2013 preseason watch lists for the Jim Thorpe Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy, capped a brilliant collegiate career with first-team all-MWC honors after leading the team with a career-high 99 tackles, including 60 solo stops.
As a team in 2012, the Aztec defense topped the MWC in rushing defense with 133.5 yards per game. SDSU also showed dramatic improvement in that statistic at the national level, climbing from the 78th spot in 2011 to the 28th position in 2012.
Gonzales was part of a staff that saw the Aztec defense finish 2011 with a No. 1 conference ranking in sacks (2.23/g), tackles for loss (6.54/g), interceptions (15) and turnovers gained (28).
He previously was a member of Aztec head coach Rocky Long's staff at New Mexico.
From 2005-08, Gonzales worked with the safeties, punters, kickers and deep snappers at UNM. Under his tutelage, the Lobo safeties combined for 55 pass breakups in 2007-08, and the 2007 New Mexico squad ranked 13th nationally in total defense, 14th in scoring defense and 20th in passing defense.
He coached placekicker John Sullivan to consensus All-America honors. A former walk-on, Sullivan nailed a nation's best 29 field goals in 2007.
Placekickers Kenny Byrd (first-team all-MWC) and James Aho (freshman All-American), and punter Jordan Scott (honorable mention all-MWC) also were honored during Gonzales' coaching stint at UNM.
Gonzales worked with NFL Draft picks defensive back Glover Quin (Houston Texans) and linebacker/defensive back Quincy Black (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) at New Mexico.
He was the school's video coordinator from 2003-05 and started his coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant for the Lobos from 1999-2002.
Gonzales was a three-year letterwinner at New Mexico, competing as a punter and safety. He earned the team's Chuck Cummings Memorial Award for morale and spirit and the Lobo Club Award for unselfish devotion to the team as a senior.
He was a part of the 1997 Lobo squad that won the Western Athletic Conference Mountain Division championship and competed in the Insight.com Bowl. UNM compiled a 9-4 overall record that year, including a 6-2 mark in league action.
Gonzales earned his bachelor's degree from New Mexico in business administration and general management and a master's degree in physical education and recreation.
He is married to Sandra and has four children, Cole, Jake, Chloe and Abby.
TEMPE, Ariz. – Danny Gonzales, who spent the last seven seasons at San Diego State and most recently served as the Aztecs’ defensive coordinator, has been named the defensive coordinator for Sun Devil Football, as announced by head coach Herm Edwards today.
Gonzales spent all seven seasons with SDSU as the safeties coach but was promoted to defensive coordinator prior to the 2017 season and helped lead the Aztecs to a 10-3 record and an appearance in the Armed Forces Bowl.
“Danny Gonzales has cut his teeth working with one of the top defensive schemes in the past decade of college football,” Edwards said. “In his first season as defensive coordinator, there was no drop-off in the production on the defensive end and he helped guide the Aztecs to a 10-win season. Danny is one of the top young coaching talents in the game today and we are happy to bring him on board at ASU."
“I am honored and humbled to be a part of the Arizona State University football program. It is a privilege to represent such a prestigious institution, and to be a part of this program’s rich tradition of athletic excellence,” Gonzales said. “I’d like to thank Ray Anderson, Jean Boyd, and Coach Edwards for this tremendous opportunity. I am excited to get to work building relationships with our student-athletes and do my part in helping Coach Edwards execute his vision for our program.”
In his first season as the defensive coordinator, San Diego State finished the regular season 11th nationally and first in the Mountain West in total defense, allowing just 303.5 yards per game. The Aztecs were ninth in rushing defense (110.4 yards per game) and 27th in passing yards allowed (193.1).
San Diego State has held 12 of its last 14 opponents to 375 yards or less of total offense. Since Nov. 14, 2015 (includes 31 SDSU games), San Diego State ranks sixth in total offense allowed per game (303.3) and ninth nationally in points allowed per game (18.3).
Since the beginning of the 2015 campaign, San Diego State ranks third nationally in rushing yards allowed per game (108.2) and third in rushing yards per attempt (3.2). Nineteen of San Diego State’s last 37 opponents have failed to rush for more than 80 yards.
During the last 37 games (since Sept. 26, 2015), opponents have rushed 1,225 times for 3,843 yards and 3.1 yards per carry. Over that span, SDSU’s ranks third in yards per carry (3.2) and third nationally in rushing yards allowed per game (103.9).
SDSU was 17th in red zone defense and first in the Mountain West, in 2017 allowing opponents to score just 75 percent of the time while the team allowed the fourth fewest first downs nationally (168). The Aztecs led the nation in allowing opponents to convert just 14.3 percent of their fourth down conversion attempts.
Entering the 2017 season, SDSU’s 100 interceptions were the third most in the country since 2011, while its 14 interceptions returned for a touchdown were tied for the fifth most over that span. The Aztecs’ 49 interceptions in 2015 and 2016 were the most in a two-year span in FBS play since Boston College had 51 in the 2007 and 2008 campaigns. SDSU led the country in interceptions (26) in 2016.
Since the beginning of the 2015 campaign, San Diego State’s 62 interceptions are the most in the country (by a margin of nine), while its 10 interception returns for touchdowns are tied for second in the country with Ohio State (Alabama has 11).
The Aztecs are 18th nationally in turnover margin at +0.67 per game. SDSU ranks among the national leaders in this category the last several years (2015 - +1.57, 1st and 2016 - +1.00, 4th). San Diego State leads the country in TO margin since 2015.
In 2015, the Aztecs finished among the top 10 in the four main defensive categories, including a tie for second with 23 picks, fifth in total defense (287.3), seventh in scoring defense (16.4) and rushing defense (108.7) and 10th in passing defense (178.6).
SDSU produced one of the best defensive efforts in school history in 2014, finishing in the top 20 nationally in nearly every defensive category, including scoring defense (13th) and total defense (16th).
Gonzales coached Nat Berhe and Eric Pinkins, both of whom were selected in the 2014 NFL Draft. Berhe was a fifth-round selection of the New York Giants, while Pinkins went in the sixth round to the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
Under Gonzales’ guidance, Berhe became the first Aztec safety in the Mountain West era (since 1999) to garner all-conference accolades three years in a row. Berhe, who landed on the 2013 preseason watch lists for the Jim Thorpe Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy, capped a brilliant collegiate career with first-team all-MWC honors after leading the team with a career-high 99 tackles, including 60 solo stops.
As a team in 2012, the Aztec defense topped the MWC in rushing defense with 133.5 yards per game. SDSU also showed dramatic improvement in that statistic at the national level, climbing from the 78th spot in 2011 to the 28th position in 2012.
Gonzales was part of a staff that saw the Aztec defense finish 2011 with a No. 1 conference ranking in sacks (2.23/g), tackles for loss (6.54/g), interceptions (15) and turnovers gained (28).
He previously was a member of Aztec head coach Rocky Long's staff at New Mexico.
From 2005-08, Gonzales worked with the safeties, punters, kickers and deep snappers at UNM. Under his tutelage, the Lobo safeties combined for 55 pass breakups in 2007-08, and the 2007 New Mexico squad ranked 13th nationally in total defense, 14th in scoring defense and 20th in passing defense.
He coached placekicker John Sullivan to consensus All-America honors. A former walk-on, Sullivan nailed a nation's best 29 field goals in 2007.
Placekickers Kenny Byrd (first-team all-MWC) and James Aho (freshman All-American), and punter Jordan Scott (honorable mention all-MWC) also were honored during Gonzales' coaching stint at UNM.
Gonzales worked with NFL Draft picks defensive back Glover Quin (Houston Texans) and linebacker/defensive back Quincy Black (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) at New Mexico.
He was the school's video coordinator from 2003-05 and started his coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant for the Lobos from 1999-2002.
Gonzales was a three-year letterwinner at New Mexico, competing as a punter and safety. He earned the team's Chuck Cummings Memorial Award for morale and spirit and the Lobo Club Award for unselfish devotion to the team as a senior.
He was a part of the 1997 Lobo squad that won the Western Athletic Conference Mountain Division championship and competed in the Insight.com Bowl. UNM compiled a 9-4 overall record that year, including a 6-2 mark in league action.
Gonzales earned his bachelor's degree from New Mexico in business administration and general management and a master's degree in physical education and recreation.
He is married to Sandra and has four children, Cole, Jake, Chloe and Abby.
